Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks welcome six newcomers to 2012 roster
8/23/2012 3:54:00 PM | Volleyball
Coach Bob Bertucci opens up his 2012 season with six freshmen that look to add depth and energy to Lehigh's volleyball program. Freshmen Claire Bradshaw, Katie Troyan, Stephanie Slater, Amy Matula, Leah Turner and Ana Vrhel are making the transition from high school to collegiate athletics as part of the Mountain Hawks' Class of 2016.
The freshman class will add much needed depth to this year's squad but will also push the upperclassmen for playing time throughout the upcoming season.
“I think the freshmen had jitters coming into preseason but their response has been that they have just competed,” said coach Bertucci.
Among the six freshman are numerous MVP's, state champions, captains and All-Tournament Team honorees but the freshman class also brings tremendous academic accolades to Lehigh University including National Honor Society members, Honor Roll students and Scholar Athletes.
Claire Bradshaw – Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny High School
Bradshaw, a 5-10 setter, was a four-year varsity letter winner and the captain of her squad at North Allegheny High School. She was named All-Section and Player of the Game three times while helping her team to a second place WPIAL finish. In 2010, she led her Mizuno Renaissance Volleyball Club in Pittsburgh to a national bid. Off the court, Bradshaw is a four-time All-Academic Scholar Athlete, AP Scholar and four-year member of the National Honor Society.
Katie Troyan – Bethlehem, Pa. / Allentown Central Catholic
Troyan, a local product, comes to Lehigh after a standout career at Allentown Central Catholic. The two-time All-Conference, All-District and All-State selection was her team's MVP in 2010 and 2011. The Bethlehem native helped her Vikettes to the 2008 State Championship and her 2009 squad to a State Final appearance. Troyan has not only excelled on the court but also in the classroom, graduating in the top 10 percent of her class and is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Stephanie Slater – McDonald, Pa. / South Fayette High School
A three-year starter and team captain of her South Fayette High School team, Slater was a 2011 first team WPIAL Class AA All-Section honoree and named to the 2011 All-WPIAL Class AA second team. During her senior year, Slater was named to two All-Tournament teams and was featured in the 2011 Top 15 South Players to Watch article by Sportstown.com. She led her Pittsburgh Three Rivers Volleyball Club to the June 2011 National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia and the June 2010 National Championships in Reno, Nevada. Slater was named to two All-Tournament teams in 2010 and also earned a selection to the 2010 All-WPIAL Class AA third team and the 2010 WPIAL Class AA All-Section first team.
Slater has also been recognized for her behavior off-the-court, receiving the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Award as the 2012 Outstanding Young Citizen. Slater was the 2011 Homecoming Queen, a member of the National Honor Society and a Principal's Scholar throughout her four years at South Fayette High School.
Amy Matula – Memphis, Tenn. / St. George's High School
Matula got an early start to her high school volleyball career, beginning in eighth grade. The five-year starter led her St. George's High School team in Memphis, Tennessee to two Division II-A State Championships and was the State Tournament MVP her senior year. The All-State Team selection was a 2011 Best of Preps Finalist and named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team. In 2010, she was named to the West Region All-Tournament Team, the Best of the Preps Private School Team, and also was the first St. George's volleyball player to be awarded the 2010 Commercial Appeal Player of the Week honor. As a freshman and sophomore, Matula was named the team MVP along with being selected to the All-Region Team. In her first year on the varsity team as an eighth grader, Matula was named to the 2007 All-State Tournament Team and was recognized with the 2007 Varsity Best Offensive Player award.
In the classroom, Matula has excelled as a member of the National Honor Society, the National Science Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (National Mathematics Honor Society) and was named to the St. George's Scholar's List for earning A's in every class, while also receiving the Probitas Award for Service.
Leah Turner – Orlando, Fla. / Timber Creek High School
Turner comes to Lehigh from Orlando, Florida where the 2011 MVP contributed to the 2008 Florida 6A State Championship team. The 5-10 outside hitter was named to the 2011 All-State fourth team, the 2010-11 All-Metro first team and was also recognized as the 2010 Offensive Player of the Year. Turner has not only prevailed on the court but also in the classroom, earning a spot on the Principal's Honor Roll from 2010 to 2012.
Ana Vrhel – Berwyn, Ill. / Nazareth Academy High School
The Berwyn, Illinois native comes to Lehigh after an impressive career at Nazareth Academy High School. Vrhel was a three-year varsity starter, led her team with 55 blocks, was recognized as an All-Conference performer, selected to two All-Star Tournament teams (Champaign Centennial and Bradley Boubonnais Tournaments), and led her team to the Regional Championship her senior year. The 6-3 middle blocker recorded 183 kills, finished third on the team with 20 aces and was named All-Conference ESCC as a senior. As a junior, she played on the National Champion First Alliance Volleyball Club in Chicago. Vrhel contributed as a starting sophomore on her Nazareth Academy team that won sectionals, advancing to the elite eight.
Not only did Vrhel dominate on the court, she was also an Illinois State Scholar, ESCC Scholar Athlete and Honor Roll student.
The Mountain Hawks are seeking to make a trip to the Patriot League Tournament for the second straight season and will open up their 2012 campaign on Sunday August 26 against Rider at the Leeman-Turner Arena. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Live broadcast of the contest will be available on Lehighsports.com.
Lehigh Women's Volleyball Class of 2016
|
No.
|
Name
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
Hometown / Previous School
|
Major
|
|
3
|
S
|
5-10
|
Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny High School
|
Arts and Sciences
|
|
|
4
|
S
|
5-11
|
Memphis, Tenn. / St. George's High School
|
Engineering
|
|
|
8
|
OH
|
5-10
|
Orlando, Fla. / Timber Creek High School
|
Arts and Sciences
|
|
|
14
|
MB
|
6-3
|
Berwyn, Ill. / Nazareth Academy High School
|
Arts and Sciences
|
|
|
16
|
RS
|
5-11
|
McDonald, Pa. / South Fayette High School
|
Arts and Sciences
|
|
|
18
|
DS / S
|
5-5
|
Behtlehem, Pa. / Allentown Central Catholic
|
Arts and Sciences
|
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